The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-07-12


choir and congregation singing thu
hymn commencing:
Our God. we raise to Thee
Thanks for Thy blessings free.
We here enjoy.
Prayer by Elder William Paul.
Singing of
Omy Father. Thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place!
ELDER ARTHUR ]. STAYNER read the
| 62d chapter of Isaiah, and said be
thought it might be called arrogance on
the part of the Latter-day Saints for
considering that this prophecy was
being fulfilled by them; that the prophet
had reference to the latter days. If there
be people on the earth, he remarked,
of whom it can be claimed that they are
endeavoring to practice righteousness,
it can be claimed by the Latterday
Saints. They claim that they have been
divinely inspired in the origin and es-
Enlistment of their church; that God
was the prime mover in its maintenance
and guidance; that the voice of insplra-
ton has ever been heard by the elders
in the church; that they have been
especial objects of Providential care.
Many may not be able to discern that
God is with the Saints but those who are
blessed with the Holy Spirit can see
that God has protected and preserved
His children, and they had faith that
He would continue to do so. They
gained power with the Heavens through
their steadfastnesss and faithfulness.
Their instruction is of the very highest
righteousness and spiritual attainment
One of the leading features of the prac-
tice of the Saints was, he said, that of
baptism for the dead. L is principle
in advance of all the religious bodies of
the world. Strangers came here and
saw the temples and places of worship,
and thought they had been erected for
the purpose of attracting attention;
they could not comprehend the sacred
purposes for which they were being
built. They were being erected by rev.
elation, by the express order and com
mand of God, and are dear, very dear
to all faithful SAINTS. In them they are
baptized for their dead. In this 'particu-
lar the Saints were peculiar, he said, and
are peculiar in many other religious OBJ
servances. How small, narrow and
contracted are the views of those who
are opposed to the Saints! If the Saints
are broader in their views, the credit
must be given to a more advanced
Teacher. The Almighty had revealed
His mind to them. In this day they
differed from the rest of the world.
They did not take to themselves credit
for inventing any new ideas or bringing
forth any new truths, but ascribed
the power, the honor and the
glory to the Lord. The inventors of
to themselves, and gave none to the
Author OF all things. The Saints knew
the history of the finding and translat-
ing of the plates from which the Book
of Mormon was taken. and knew the
whole was an inspired work.
Elder Stayner thought there was at
present more chance for the Saints to
increase in righteousness than ever.
Many had needed, but many had neg
lected the words and promptings of
Gods chosen servants, and they had
Jagged or prospered in proportion.
Spiritual things should be in advance
he continued; and temporal things
should be held in allegiance. 1t is a time
now, more than ever, when faith and
prayer should be exercised. There was
but one source-the heavens from
which the power to combat the enemy
OF righteousness could be obtained. ii
was the province of the Saints to study
and put in practice, more and more, the
principles of righteousness. The Holy
Ghost will prompt all in the course
they should pursue, and the speaker
| IN I'D Akk -,
should keep themselves pure and I'M
spotted, that the Holy Ghost 1night
abide with them. God had done HIS
portion, and it depends upon the Saints
to obtain ful6lment of His promises.
He prayed God to bless the Saints. and
all honest seekers after truth, that they
may secure an understanding of the
truths of the gospel
BISHOP 0. +. WHITNEY desired to adj
dress the congregation with a pure
heart and conscience void of offense
toward God and man. He had partaken
of the Sacrament with this feeling in
his heart; with charity towards all
men. He wished the kindest feeling of
the congregation, and if anything had
occurred during the past wherein he
had injured anyone, he asked their
forgiveness, and was willing to forgive
any VINO had injured him. all should
have pure hearts and clean hands, he
said, when they assembled to partske
of the Sacrament. The mission of the
Saint was the building up of Zion, and
according to the eternal fitness and
consistency of things, a people who are
to build up that which was pure and
holy, must be pure and holy them
selves; for this is Zion, the pure in
heart.
In olden times there was a certain citv
built by Enoch, whose very ground was
ssnctified; it was taken up into heaven
by reason of the righteousness of its
people; taken nearer to the throne of
God. This was no fairy tale or suner-
sttlon; it was an eternal truth. twas
natural principle for that which was
pure and holy to go upward and that
which was base and unholy to 90 down
ward. The STUNTS of to-day were tn
build up the earthly counterpart of the
city Of Enoch. The Lord would hiring
down Zion from above, and bring mn
Zion from beneath. There would be =
realization of the prophecy:
mercy and truth are net together. RIGHT.
eousness and peace, have kissed each ether
Truth shall spring out of the earth and